Lead Media Systems Engineer

Job Summary:

Department/Group Overview:

Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology (DEE) is to delight consumers worldwide with the news, entertainment, and sports content they want most, with more choice, personalization, and convenience than ever before.

Comprised of Disney’s international media businesses and the Company’s streaming and linear services, the DEE Engineering Services segment aligns technology, content, and distribution platforms to expand the Company’s global footprint to deliver world-class, personalized entertainment experiences to consumers around the world.

DEE Technology is responsible for The Walt Disney Company’s direct-to-consumer businesses globally, including the ESPN+ sports streaming service, programmed in conjunction with ESPN; Disney+, the Disney-branded direct-to-consumer streaming service; global advertising sales and ad technology for all of Disney’s media properties, including ABC, ESPN, Freeform, FX Networks, National Geographic, and the Disney Channels; HotStar, the leading over-the-top streaming service in India; and the Company’s majority ownership stake in Hulu.

Job Summary:

Disney Media Engineers have a clear charter: to transform the capability and flexibility of how Disney acquires, produces, and distributes content worldwide, all while ensuring the highest levels of quality, efficiency, and resiliency.

Disney Media Engineers often find themselves at the crossroads between hardware and software-based technology and must possess a comprehensive theoretical and practical understanding of the technology that powers the generation, monetization, and distribution of all forms of consumer- facing linear and digital video/audio content. Responsibility includes numerous systems such as Playout Technology, Studios, Production Control Rooms, Remote Production, Post-Production, Contribution/Distribution Systems, Networking, Cloud Computing, Production Software and Virtual Environment and more.

The Lead Media Systems Engineer is an expert engineer in several disciplines related to the acquisition, production, or distribution of media content. They are well-versed in multiple technical standards and have hands-on experience in both the sustainment and design/build of production systems.

The Lead Media Systems Engineer is part of a tiered sustainment model where incidents are escalated from a shared  Operations team (tier 1) to the Media Engineer I’s, II’s and Sr. Media Engineer (tier 2), Lead Media Engineer (tier 3) and beyond. They are the heart of the sustainment efforts in the technology they lead. The Lead Media Engineer will interface with both external and internal partners to ensure their technical areas are operating with peak efficiency and reliability. Lead Media Engineers are also focused heavily on the design/build of their areas of expertise, often advancing innovative technology to maintain Disney’s competitive technical edge. Lead Media Engineers perform beyond the technical to truly understand the businesses that benefit from our technology and make decisions and recommendations based on the complete business, operational and technical outlook, and requirements.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

• Respond to and resolve issues that affect acquisition, production, and content distribution across multiple DEE networks including system outages, malfunctions, and related technical problems, and conduct diagnostic testing, repair, and replacement activities necessary to solve routine, specialized, and complex problems.
• Utilize system health and performance monitoring software and platforms; troubleshoot and participate in repairing system problems and failures, participates in maintenance of systems, installs software patches, updates etc., to resolve and avoid service problems, and troubleshoots system problems as they relate to these services.

• Analyze and troubleshoot streaming audio/video signals in traditional SDI and IP 2110 essence flow routing environments.
• Analyze and troubleshoot cloud platforms as necessary

• Support third-party service providers by enforcing the agreed upon scope of services within the various signed service agreements (i.e., full time, freelance, union agencies, maintenance providers, contractors, service providers, etc.).
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate technical staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement corrective procedures.
• Support the procurement of equipment, supplies and materials for Media technology systems within budget guidelines; receive and maintain equipment and supplies.
• Support long range planning for future media technology needs, including capital improvements, to enhance production and distribution capabilities.
• Lead the development and implementation of policies and procedures regarding technology facilities with a focus on maximizing the integration of all systems to meet business, marketing, and entertainment goals.
• Lead operational support of all activities related to operating, maintaining, and programming the audio and video production/distribution systems across the enterprise and other connected properties. When required perform preventative maintenance on systems and equipment.
• Leads in engineering projects while collaborating with more experienced engineers.
• Reviews and contributes to system/workflow documentation.
• Participates in regular training and development objectives.
• Extraordinary influencer who is skilled at connecting the dots at the organization, strategy, program, project, and event levels.  Able to persuade and change the thinking of others without damaging relationships.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, growth environment with minimal direction, delivering under tight deadlines while multitasking, prioritizing projects, and communicating priority updates to team members.
• Able to operate with limited resources, exhibit objective critical-thinking, and creatively solve problems. Motivated and inventive, always finds a way forward—eternal optimist with a committed drive for contributing and making a difference.
• Any other duties needed to help achieve Business Objectives.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 7 + years of previous and relevant experience in leading others, developing technical strategies ensuring efficient sustainment, uptime, and overall stability of the technical environments of Media Engineering and live media production and distribution environments.
• Bachelor’s Degree in electrical engineering, computer science or equivalent major, and/or equivalent work experience.
• Expert level knowledge and experience with integrating, implementing, or refreshing broadcast control room equipment, including familiarity with modern cabling infrastructure.
• Familiar with technologies like microservices, DevOps tools, design principles, practices, standards and guidelines.
• Scripting ability will be an advantage (Python, NodeJS, Bash, PowerShell)
• Proficient in SMPTE standards for broadcast television and video production/streaming environments with a current certification such as not limited to ST 292M, ST 424M, ST 2110.
• Advanced level knowledge and experience with on-prem and cloud-based storage and compute infrastructure platforms and current technological offerings. At least one foundational cloud certification preferred, including but not limited to Microsoft Certified: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, CompTIA Cloud+, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate.
• Advanced level knowledge and experience with compression techniques such as MPEG2/4, HEVC, JPEG 2000, and JPEG XS
• Expert level knowledge and experience with Evertz software control systems such as frame control via VistaLink or Magnum, EQX/EXE routers, and their monitoring software VLPRO, SDVN, VIP, VUE, MVP.
• Advanced level knowledge and experience with major media systems and the vendors that supply them in areas such as asset management systems, file-based workflows, media acquisition, transcoding/encoding, graphics, and NAS/SAN technologies.
• Ability to create, read and interpret AutoCAD and other technical drawing/documentation tools.
• Demonstrated expert troubleshooting and sustaining in one or more of the following:
  • IP-based broadcast equipment including routers, switchers, audio boards, signal processers, encoder/decoder, video scalers, playback systems, etc.
  • Studio technology includes video walls, cameras, VR set technology, image processing systems, touch screens, lighting, etc.
  • File-based workflows like enterprise Media Asset Management systems (Cloud-based Cloud Compute or Local Network-based) including storage, compute, encode and fiber distribution.
  • Production control systems such as Imagine Communications or Grass Valley automation systems, Avid, Adobe, Viz, Dalet, Riedel trunking, Lawo, Calrec, Evertz, Ross and others.
  • Proven track record for troubleshooting and sustainment knowledge of AWS Infrastructures and other cloud-based technologies including S3/Glacier storage and cloud compute (EC2) services.
• Physical requirements and work environment: Ability to climb ladders, move equipment around as needed, work on raised structures and building roofs, operate areal lift platforms and have valid driver’s license.

#DisneyTECH

The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles is $126,400 to $169,500 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.